Guatemala City, June 4: Guatemala's Fuego volcano, about 40km (25 miles) south-west of the capital Guatemala City erupted on Sunday for the second time this year. At least 25 people died and 20 injured due to the volcanic eruption. Officials also warned of the continued volcanic eruption.
The volcanic eruption emitted a large amount of hot lava. According to the government's national coordinator for disaster reduction, the CONRED, thick clouds of smoke were also formed nearly six miles into the air. As confirmed by CONRED, the official death toll had increased to 25.
All the citizens residing near the volcano are asked to evacuate immediately. Residents of the towns of Chimaltenango, Sacatepequez and Escuintla were also warned to watch out for volcanic rocks and ash. The explosion stands to affect 1.7 million people, reported CNN quoting Sergio García Cabañas, director of CONRED. Cabañas also said that more than 3,100 people had been evacuated from their homes.
The Fuego volcano is one of Central America's most active. It is located near the colonial city of Antigua. Tourist destination and other villages in the Sacatepéquez department were also covered in ash. International airport in the country’s capital is also closed. The volcano is still active.
Explosions are coming from the volcano, said Eddy Sánchez, director of the National Institute for Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology of Guatemala has also warned of mudslides as rainfall continues and urged people to stay off roads close to the volcano.
In another massive volcanic eruption in Hawaii destroyed more than 80 homes in the last four weeks. The destruction is caused by Kilauea volcano. According to the US Geological Survey, the lava from the Kilauea volcano has covered an area of 5.5 square miles. It is almost four times as big as New York's Central Park.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 04, 2018 10:41 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).